The hottest Transportation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Congrats to SmartHop! $30m more to democratize the road for truckers

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 06 Apr 22
💼 Business Finance Technology Transportation Industry Entrepreneurship
  1. SmartHop received $30m to improve conditions for truckers and democratize the industry.
  2. Guillermo, the founder/CEO of SmartHop, aims to empower all truck drivers, not just a select few.
  3. Through SmartHop's innovative platform, drivers have increased earnings and efficiency, attracting industry leaders to invest in the company.

Future Bites #4

Year 2049 • 17 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Work Transportation Creativity
  1. GPT-4 is a powerful AI model that can process text and images, but has limitations
  2. Google and Microsoft are incorporating AI into their office apps, reshaping how we work
  3. The Netherlands transitioned into a biking-friendly country for public safety, health, and the environment

The 11th MUTCD is Exactly What We Should Expect...

Exasperated Infrastructures • 7 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
📰 News Transportation Policy Safety Engineering Autonomous Vehicles
  1. The 11th edition of the MUTCD addresses the need for updated road safety measures but lacks clear accountability processes.
  2. The controversial '85th percentile speed trap' rule in the MUTCD has received criticism for rewarding law-breaking behavior.
  3. The new version of the MUTCD includes factors like pedestrian activity in speed limit determinations, but lacks clear definitions and enforcement mechanisms.
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Horse Power

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 39 implied HN points • 03 Jun 21
💾 History Urban History Transportation Architecture Cultural heritage Local culture
  1. In early Seattle, horses were the main mode of transportation, used for trolleys, fire engines, and carts. There were almost 4,000 horse-drawn vehicles counted in one day in 1904.
  2. There are only a few remnants of the past, like old stables that once housed hundreds of horses. One stable has been turned into a brewery, while another has an iconic horse head on its facade.
  3. You can still find hitching posts and stepping stones around Capitol Hill, showing how people used to disembark from horse-drawn vehicles. These reminders of history help connect us to the past.

Alissa Walker on the Past, Present, and Future of Transportation

Exasperated Infrastructures • 9 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Transportation Urbanism Infrastructure Policy Public Health
  1. Transportation planning should prioritize filling gaps that benefit the most people in need
  2. Engagement with communities is crucial for building strong, resilient transportation policies
  3. Investing in everyday needs like sidewalks and public bathrooms can significantly improve quality of life

Gia Biagi on the Past, Present, and Future of Transportation

Exasperated Infrastructures • 4 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Transportation Urbanism Infrastructure Policy Collaboration
  1. Gia Biagi emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact and responsibility of a transportation department on the city's infrastructure.
  2. Chicago's uniqueness lies in its historical urban planning foundations, its continuous lakefront paths, and its negotiation of its river system, alongside its persistent efforts to address issues of segregation and systemic racism.
  3. Improvements in transportation planning require a balance between system-level thinking and attention to one-foot level experiences, as well as a recognition and utilization of expertise at all levels and across different scales.

"Inclusive Transportation" with Veronica O. Davis, PE

Exasperated Infrastructures • 4 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Transportation Community Engagement Advocacy Inclusivity Urban planning
  1. Veronica O. Davis, PE advocates for repairing divided communities through inclusive transportation
  2. The book emphasizes engaging diverse stakeholders and reflecting on planning processes
  3. Success in transportation means prioritizing community needs, storytelling, and diversity in voices

Henry Grabar's "Paved Paradise" is a Masterpiece

Exasperated Infrastructures • 9 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Book review Urban planning Transportation Cities Society
  1. Henry Grabar's book 'Paved Paradise' is likened to important urban planning works and sheds light on the impacts of parking policies.
  2. The book discusses the significant role of parking in shaping urban landscapes and the conflicts it has spurred.
  3. Through vivid storytelling and real-life characters, 'Paved Paradise' explores the complexities of parking policies and advocates for safer streets.

Julie Timm Weighs In on the Future of the Puget Sound Region.

Exasperated Infrastructures • 7 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
💼 Business Transportation Community Impact Decision-making Leadership Public Sector
  1. Julie Timm, CEO of Sound Transit, emphasizes the importance of regional equity and building new services for all riders.
  2. Strong partnerships between different agencies in Seattle improve transit connectivity and service access.
  3. Ensuring fair, living wages for transit workers is vital for maintaining reliable service and increasing ridership.

Norman Garrick on the Past, Present, and Future of Transportation

Exasperated Infrastructures • 7 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Transportation Urban planning Sustainability Social justice Infrastructure
  1. Norman Garrick highlights the need for cities that prioritize people on foot over vehicles going at high speeds.
  2. He discusses the challenges of car dependency, especially in countries like Jamaica, and emphasizes the importance of transit, bike, and pedestrian planning.
  3. Garrick advocates for creating car-light cities that are free from the dangers, noise, pollution, and costs associated with cars, focusing on designing for people's quality of life and low-carbon urban environments.

Life is a Highway: The Long and Winding Road to Poverty Alleviation

Crossing the River by Feeling the Stones • 1 HN point • 04 May 23
🌍 World Politics Infrastructure Poverty China Economics Transportation
  1. Improving rural roads is crucial for poverty alleviation in China.
  2. Highway construction plays a significant role in connecting remote areas and enabling economic growth.
  3. Investing in highways for rural areas can stimulate tourism, create job opportunities, and enhance economic activities.

One week with an e-bike has changed my life

Wheel’s Substack • 1 HN point • 27 Mar 23
🏝 Travel Transportation Infrastructure Safety
  1. Electric bikes are faster, safer, more comfortable, and healthier than cars for city commutes.
  2. Infrastructure improvements, like connected bike paths and dedicated lanes, are crucial for promoting electric bike use.
  3. An e-bike charging network, better cargo bike parking, lockable storage, and a shift away from car-centric cities are essential for making electric bikes a viable alternative.

The real problem with California Forever

Urben Field Notes • 1 HN point • 18 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Urban planning Transportation
  1. The new city California Forever lacks regional transit planning, which is a significant flaw.
  2. The city focuses on good urban design, such as mixed-use buildings, bike lanes, and bus-rapid transit corridors.
  3. Despite thoughtful transportation planning within the city, the project neglects regional transportation solutions, missing opportunities for better transit connectivity.

Shoshana Lew on the Past, Present and Future of Transportation

Exasperated Infrastructures • 2 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transportation Legislation Leadership Climate change Infrastructure
  1. Shoshana Lew emphasizes the importance of balancing people's needs with transportation goals.
  2. Director Lew highlights the need for diverse voices in transportation leadership for more inclusive and impactful decision-making.
  3. Colorado faces challenges with diverse environmental locations impacting road infrastructure, while needing strategic growth planning to manage rapidly changing populations.

On Rails in Mt. View California 🚂

Thinking Through • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Data Transportation Engineering Manufacturing Logistics
  1. The public data on rails in the Bay Area provides interesting insights, like weight, manufacturing details, and design specifications.
  2. Rail dimensions like height and width play crucial roles in supporting the track and preventing rail rolling.
  3. Many intriguing questions arise about rails during train rides, from spacing between rails to the forces rails experience.

Barb Chamberlain on the Past, Present, and Future of Transportation

Exasperated Infrastructures • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
💼 Business Transportation Advocacy Policy Urban planning Community Engagement
  1. Barb Chamberlain emphasizes the importance of active transportation and the need for active listener polish in transportation leadership roles
  2. She discusses the shift needed in how transportation policies are approached, highlighting the unintended consequences of certain decisions in the past
  3. Barb Chamberlain advocates for deep listening, relationship building, and prioritizing community engagement to transform transportation infrastructure for the betterment of all

Turning Airplanes into Air-busses

Splitting Infinity • 0 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Innovation Transportation Aviation Automation Regulation
  1. Consider redesigning airports to focus on passengers and not luggage, which can lead to faster, more efficient travel experiences.
  2. Building a network of small airports with small planes can save time and offer convenient regional travel options for passengers.
  3. Encourage innovation and competition in the airline industry to lower prices, enhance quality, and make air travel more accessible for consumers.

Why self driving cars are/aren't better than human drivers long term

Hazy Bridge • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Transportation Autonomous Vehicles Safety Future Technology
  1. Self-driving cars offer increased safety by eliminating human error on the roads.
  2. Self-driving cars can optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion through 24/7 operation.
  3. Self-driving cars enhance accessibility for individuals with limited mobility and offer productivity and convenience benefits for all passengers.

SmartHop — A platform for truckers, by truckers

Equal Ventures • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jul 20
💼 Business Logistics Technology Entrepreneurship Investment Transportation
  1. Trucking industry is crucial for the US economy, employing over 3 million individuals, but smaller fleets face challenges like limited access to technology and higher costs.
  2. Investment in technologies like SmartHop can significantly improve the lives of independent truckers, providing better access to loads and optimizing take-home pay.
  3. SmartHop's platform, run by an experienced team, partners with top brokers to enhance driver pay and access to premium loads, creating a transformation in the industry.

Minivan As Grand Safety Compromise

Cornerstone • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Safety Urbanism Transportation
  1. Minivans are a great safety compromise for occupants, other vehicles, and pedestrians/cyclists due to their design features like low front for pedestrians and tall rear for occupants.
  2. Vehicle size and weight affect safety, with minivans offering a balance and protection, especially in collisions with other large vehicles like trucks.
  3. Limitations and trade-offs exist in automotive safety, emphasizing the importance of considering alternatives and continuous improvement.

Sitting In Traffic Is A Problem Worth Solving

Cornerstone • 0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transportation Housing Public Health Policy Urban planning
  1. Sitting in traffic is a significant problem that needs addressing, especially in areas like Northern Virginia.
  2. Congestion pricing could be an effective policy solution to address traffic congestion by pricing the externality of time wasted in traffic.
  3. Dependency on cars for transportation poses risks like accidents and contributes to a sedentary lifestyle, emphasizing the need for better transit options.

Today's Top 5 HN posts

Top 5 HN Posts of the day • 0 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Programming Transportation Machine Learning Digital Payments Virtualization
  1. The post shares the top 5 HackerNews posts for the day, giving readers a daily dose of interesting content.
  2. One of the top posts discusses the approval of a new $15 toll to drive into Manhattan by the MTA board.
  3. There's also an interesting query about the developments in machine learning that are overshadowed by large language models.

Autonomous Vehicles and Culture

The Digital Anthropologist • 0 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Transportation Urban Design Infrastructure
  1. Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) face cultural challenges due to the deep-rooted connection between cars/trucks and human culture worldwide. This may impact adoption despite technological advancements.
  2. The adoption of AVs requires significant societal changes beyond just the vehicle technology, such as redesigning cities and shifting away from fossil fuels.
  3. Despite challenges, advancements in infrastructure, manufacturing, and materials hint at a future where AVs could play a vital role in transportation systems, sparking innovative urban planning ideas.

Healers' wheels: Victorian doctors and their bicycles

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💾 History Victorian Medicine Transportation Clothing Leisure
  1. Victorian country doctors embraced bicycles for efficient travel, especially after the introduction of the safety bicycle and pneumatic tires.
  2. Doctors adopting bicycles needed to consider practical aspects like owning two bikes for emergencies, preventing theft, and choosing comfortable saddles.
  3. Bicycles provided country doctors with not just a mode of transport, but also leisure and respite from their demanding careers.

Daily Exasperation #8

Exasperated Infrastructures • 0 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Infrastructure Transportation Urban planning Climate change Environmental Policy
  1. The statement from the Governor's spokesperson about combating climate change lacks substance and may not effectively reduce emissions.
  2. Focusing on highway-widening projects might not be the most beneficial use of funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
  3. Empty, vague statements can lead to costly projects that might not benefit those in need.

Point-To-Point Rocket Transportation

SpaceDotBiz • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Space Transportation Research Innovation Investment
  1. Point-to-point rocket travel technology is being developed and could have a significant impact on global transportation.
  2. Companies like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Relativity are working on reusable rockets, a key technology for point-to-point rocket travel.
  3. The Department of Air Force and Space Force are investing money into rocket cargo programs, showing a serious interest in this technology.